Top Places to Visit in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is situated in the northern part of India. Ruled by many rulers, Uttar Pradesh has witnessed the rule of Magadh rules, Nanda dynasty, Maurya and Emperor Akbar. State came into existence when it came under the rule of British. Viewed as the largest tourist destination in India, Uttar Pradesh is one of the most popular tourist destinations. It is home of India's most visited sites, the Taj Mahal, and Hinduism's holiest city, Varanasi.

Uttar Pradesh, a place of gods and goddesses has a glorious history. It is a holy place for the people of all religions. Agra, Allahabad, Fatehpur Sikri, Gangotri, Garhwal, Harsil, Haridwar, Kausani, Hemkund Sahib, Jaunpur, Jhansi, Kalinjar, Kanpur, Kapilvastu, Kedarnath, Lucknow, Varanasi form some of the main cities of Uttar Pradesh.

Taj Mahal

Agra is the most visited city in India, since it is home to one of the greatest eternal symbols of love-Taj Mahal. This white domed marble mausoleum is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and has an epic love story behind it. Commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan who erected this monument in memory of his beloved wife, Arjumarid Bano Begum; popularly known as Mumtaz Mahal, who died in A.H. 1040 (A.D. 1630). Mumtaz Mahal last wish to her husband was "to build a tomb in her memory such as the world had never seen before".

Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Akbar's tomb, Ram Bagh and Sikandra fort are some of the must visit places in Agra, apart from Taj Mahal.

Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri, the "City of Victory", sits 35 kilometers from Agra on a low hill of the Vindhya mountain range. Fatehpur Sikri was founded in 1569 by the Mughal emperor Akbar, was the short-lived capital of the Mughal empire between 1571 and 1585. This site was chosen to honor the Sufi saint Salim Chishti, a holy man who blessed him with a son who was named Salim in 1569.

The construction of this walled city took almost fifteen years and the complex included several royal palaces, a harem, courts and a mosque. The city is about 37 km from Agra on the Sikri ridge 3 km in length and 1km wide surrounded by wall covering three sides and a lake on the fourth side. Akbar gave it the name of Fathabad, with Fateh, a word of Arabic origin in Persian, meaning "victorious." which in later days came to be known as “Fathpur Sikri”. The city was an Indo-Islamic masterpiece, but was soon deserted because the water system could not support any residents and so was abandoned shortly after Akbar’s death. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the best preserved collections of Indian Mughal architecture in India and therefore inscribed in the UNESCO world heritage list.

Agra Red Fort

Agra Fort is also known as the Red Fort of Agra. It is very close to the famous Taj Mahal. It consists of a wall built in red sandstone and several buildings inside both in red sandstone and white marble built by two generations of prolific builders Akbar and later Jehangir and Shahjahan. It was designed and built by the Mughal ruler, Akbar, in about 1565 A.D. The wall has 2 gates, the Delhi Gate and the Amar Singh Gate. Sikandar lodhi was the first sultan of Delhi who shifted to Agra and lived in the fort. It became part of UNESCO World Heritage in 1982.

It comprises many palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques.

Banke Bihari Temple Vrindavan

Bankey Bihari temple is one of the oldest temples dedicated to Lord Krishna in the holy city of Vrindavan in the Mathura district. Mythologically, Krishna spent his childhood days in Vrindavan so the idol here is in the form of Nand Gopal (childhood incarnation of Krishna). The idol is black in colour and is ususally kept behind the curtain.

Bankey Bihari Temple was established by Swami Haridas, a guru of the famous singer Tansen. Bankey Bihari ji was originally worshiped at Nidhivana. Shri Swami haridas got Bankey bihari ji appeared in Nidhivan. The idol of Thakur Ji was worshipped in Nidhivan till 1863. This temple was constructed in 1864 with the contribution of Goswamis. After constructing of temple, Goswamis transferred the idol to this temple. The sewa of the Bihariji is unique in its own way. It is performed in three parts every day i.e. Shringar, Rajbhog and Shayan.

Govind Dev Temple Vrindavan

Govinda Deva temple is one of the important temples of the holy place of Vrindavana in the Mathura district. It is located 161 km driving distance from New Delhi and only 15 kilometers from Mathura. During Janmashthami, and Holi the city is seen at its best and attracts a large number of tourists.

The construction of the temple began under the guidance of Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami and his disciples headed by Raja Man Singh of Jaipur in 1590. Made of red stone, this imposing structure is a must-visit site in the holy city.

Vishwanath Temple Varanasi

A beautiful temple and one of the jyotirlings dedicated to Lord Shiva. Vishwanath temple is located almost 5 km away from the Varanasi railway station. The Vishwanath Temple is also popularly known as the 'Golden Temple' due the gold plating done on its 15.5-meter high spire. It was constructed in the year 1780 by the Maratha monarch, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of the Indore. The gold used to cover the two domes of the temple was donated by the Punjab Kesari, the Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who ruled the Punjab. A huge bell hangs in the temple. It was donated by the King of Nepal. It has been destroyed and re-constructed a number of times in the history.

Varanasi Ghats (Dasaswamedh Ghat, Assi Ghat)

Varanasi is symbolized by its Ghats and city has 87 ghats bordering the Ganges River. The main group contains around 25 of them, and it extends from Assi Ghat north to Raj Ghat. It is believed that people are cleansed physically, mentally and spiritually at Ganga Ghats. Morning boat ride in the Varanasi is famous worldwide as a visitors attraction. A walk along the ghats is also fascinating experience.

The best time to visit the ghats when the river is bathed in a mellow light as pilgrims come to perform puja to the rising sun and at sunset when the main river worship ceremony (ganga aarti) takes place at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Jhansi Fort

Jhansi Fort or Jhansi ka Kila is situated in the outskirts of Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh. It is situated on a rocky hill called Bangra in the town of Balwantnagar, known today as Jhansi. Raja Bir Singh Deo of Orchha commissioned this fort in the early 17th century. Besides, the fort contains many ancient structures of great importance. The fort has ten gates including the Khandero Gate, Datia Darwaza, Unnao Gate, Jharna Gate, Laxmi Gate, Sagar Gate, Orcha Gate, Sainyar Gate, and Chand Gate. Spread across 49 acres.

This fort is a prime attraction of Jhansi and holds an important core of history. It played at important role in the first war of independence in 1857. The fort was a residence of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, who fought the British East India Company during the 1857 War of Independence and attained martyrdom.

Gorakhnath Temple

The Gorakhnath Temple is the most popular and an old temple located in the Gorakhpur City - Uttar Pradesh in India. This temple was named after the name of Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath who is said to have meditated in the location of this temple in the Treta Yug. A famous shrine called Gorakhnath Nath was built in his honour at the location where he practised his austerities. The shape and structure of this temple was changed and reformed since it was built. Attempts have been made to destroy the temple many times during the rule of Mughal Emperors.

There is a small pond where boating can be done. Very big campus & anyone can visit the library and find all the related history as well. It is located at a distance of 4 km from the railway station and is well-connected via all means of local transportation.

Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath

Dhamek Stupa is one of the prominent Buddhist structures located at Sarnath, 13 km away from Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The stupa at Sarnath marks the spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. It was constructed by the Mauryan king, Ashoka and later rebuilt by the Maryan and Gupta dynasties. Near the site stands an Ashoka pillar with an edict engraved on it.

The Dhamekh Stupa is cylindrical in shape and about 43.6 meter high and 28.3 meter in diameter. Built partly in stone and partly in brick, the wall of the stupa is covered with beautiful figures of humans and birds and it also bears some inscriptions in the Brahmi script.